DIY Treehouse Plans

A tree house can be an ideal hangout for children exploring nature.

Building a backyard tree house holds different sentiments for different people. For some, it's an almost magical place for their kids to explore; for others, a do-it-yourself (DIY) tree house is an outdoor living space for a variety of purposes. Whether you plan to go high-tech or your proposed tree house will be simple, a DIY tree house plan is available for you. Consider several factors, however, before tackling the project yourself.

Types of Plans

DIY tree house plans range from free to hundreds of dollars. They also range from simple wooden boxes to Victorian style, and from no-frills to including wiring diagrams for electricity. The difficulty level and inclusiveness of the plans also vary. Some plans are designed specifically for people with basic carpentry skills while others map out ornate, guesthouse-style abodes that can be built by people with more advanced skills.

First Items First

After you've found one or more DIY designs that strike your fancy, it's time to look into the legality of your tree house venture. Some cities and townships require a permit for a tree house. The permit requirement may depend on factors such as the tree house's size, how close it is to your home and whether or not you plan to have electric lines run to the tree house.

Tree Selection and Health

Your chosen DIY tree house plan isn't going to be much good without a proper tree or stand of trees to serve as the primary base. The tree or trees should be mature with thick, strongly connected branches. Because a tree house can cause serious injury to a tree, ensure your tree house plan leaves growing room around each affected tree's trunk and doesn't use excessive fasteners that go into a tree or trees.

Other Considerations

After you've found a DIY tree house plan you can handle, found a tree you think is ideal and contacted your location's government about the legality of your tree house plan, a few more considerations are involved in the DIY tree house process. Speak with your neighbors if the tree house will be in their view; a tree house can intrude on neighbors' privacy. Also, calling an arborist prior to building can help you determine whether or not your selected tree is healthy enough -- and strong enough -- for your plan.